Skin- or hair-cleansing composition containing aqueous gelling agent, and methods for producing aqueous gelling agent and cleansing composition

ABSTRACT

A skin- or hair-cleansing composition including a component (A), which is an aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) described in the specification, and a component (B), which is an anionic surfactant, wherein the component (A) presents a viscosity of an aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of at 25° C. of 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s and a clouding point of the aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component (A) of 60° C. to 80° C., and has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 30,000; a method for producing the aqueous gelling agent and a method for producing the skin- or hair-cleansing composition are provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a cleansing composition which exhibits flowproperties suitable for a skin- or hair-cleansing agent, has hightemperature stability in terms of the viscosity thereof, exhibitsexcellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties, andimparts a favorable texture (fresh feeling) when applied; a method forproducing an aqueous gelling agent contained in the cleansingcomposition; and a method for producing the cleansing composition.

BACKGROUND ART

Among viscosity adjusting agents, examples of well-known gelling agentsinclude natural gelling agents, such as carboxymethyl cellulose andhydroxyethyl cellulose, alkali thickening type gelling agents that arethickened by an alkali, such as poly(acrylic acid) and poly(acrylicacid)-containing copolymers, and urethane-based gelling agents, such asurethane-modified polyethers. Of these, many types of urethane-basedgelling agents are produced for reasons such as being able to gel avariety of products more freely than other gelling agents, being able toimpart a wide variety of viscosities to products to which such gellingagents are added, and hardly being affected by pH or salts.

In particular, hydrophobically modified polyether urethanes form elasticgels having a characteristic gelatinous texture and can give gels havingexcellent temperature stability, and are therefore widely blended andused in a variety of cosmetics and the like (for example, see PatentDocuments 1 to 4).

Hydrophobically modified polyether urethanes are hardly affected by pHor salts, and can therefore be used in cleaning applications in whichanionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants are blended, For example,Patent Document 5 discloses a detergent composition characterized bycontaining a hydrophobically modified polyether urethane as a component(A) and an anionic surfactant and/or an amphoteric surfactant as acomponent (B).

The main functions required of a cleansing agent for cleaning skin orhair are to exhibit excellent foaming properties and sustained foamingproperties, to exhibit sufficient detergency, to have a viscosity at thetime of use that facilitates use as a cleansing agent, and to be able toimpart a favorable texture (fresh feeling) when applied, Furthermore,viscous cleansing compositions can attach to, and penetrate into, dirtand efficiently cause the dirt to lift and come off, and are thereforepreferred in many cases. The detergent composition disclosed in PatentDocument 5 is a viscous detergent composition and has the purpose ofexhibiting excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming propertiesand imparting a favorable texture (fresh feeling) when applied.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2002-080329

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No2011-006371

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2016-023180

[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2014-040385

[Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No,2002-105493

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

When put to practical use, however, the detergent composition disclosedin Patent Document 5 was insufficient in terms of performance such asflow properties, temperature stability in terms of viscosity, foamingproperties, sustained foaming properties and texture (fresh feeling)when applied, and there was a need to develop a cleansing compositionhaving further improved performance.

Solution to Problem

As a result of intensive studies, the inventors of this inventiondiscovered a skin- or hair-cleansing composition that exhibits improvedperformance compared to conventional skin- or hair-cleansingcompositions, and thereby completed this invention. That is, thisinvention is a cleansing composition that exhibits flow propertiessuitable for a skin- or hair-cleansing agent, has high temperaturestability in terms of the viscosity thereof, exhibits excellent foamingproperties and sustained foaming properties, and imparts a favorabletexture (fresh feeling) when applied.

Specifically, this invention is a skin- or hair-cleansing compositionwhich contains components (A) and (B) below, wherein the viscosity of anaqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component (A) at 25° C. is 1,000to 5,000 mPa·s, the clouding point of the aqueous solution containing 1mass % of component (A) is 60 to 80° C., and the weight averagemolecular weight of component (A) is 10,000 to 30,000,

-   Component (A): an aqueous gelling agent represented by general    formula (1) below

In the formula, R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote ahydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R³, R⁵ and R⁷ eachindependently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbonatoms, R⁴ and R⁶ each independently denote a divalent hydrocarbon grouphaving 3 to 16 carbon atoms, a and e each independently denote a numberfrom 10 to 100, d denotes a number from 100 to 500, and g denotes anumber from 0 to 10; and

-   Component (B): an anionic surfactant

In addition, this invention provides a method for producing an aqueousgelling agent represented by general formula (1), which can be used toproduce a skin- or hair-cleansing composition, wherein compoundsrepresented by general formulae (2) to (4) and higher fatty acid metalsalts as catalysts are used, as described later.

Furthermore, this invention provides a method for producing a skin- orhair-cleansing composition, the method comprising a step of combining ananionic surfactant with the aqueous gelling agent obtained using theproduction method described above.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

This invention can provide a skin- or hair-cleansing composition thatexhibits flow properties suitable for a skin- or hair-cleansing agent,has high temperature stability in terms of the viscosity thereof,exhibits excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties,and imparts a favorable texture (fresh feeling) when applied.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Component (A) contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition ofthis invention is an aqueous gelling agent represented by generalformula (1) below.

In the formula, R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote ahydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R³, R⁵ and R⁷ each denotea divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁴ and R⁶ eachindependently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbonatoms, a and e each independently denote a number from 10 to 100, ddenotes a number from 100 to 500, and g denotes a number from 0 to 10,

In general formula (1), R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote ahydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of such a groupinclude saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups such as an n-butyl group,an isobutyl group, an s-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an n-pentyl group,a branched pentyl group, a secondary pentyl group, a tertiary pentylgroup, an n-hexyl group, a branched hexyl group, an secondary hexylgroup, a tertiary hexyl group, an n-heptyl group, a branched heptylgroup, a secondary heptyl group, a tertiary heptyl group, an n-octylgroup, a 2-ethylhexyl group, a branched octyl group, a secondary octylgroup, a tertiary octyl group, an n-nonyl group, a branched nonyl group,a secondary nonyl group, a tertiary nonyl group, an n-decyl group, abranched decyl group, a secondary decyl group, a tertiary decyl group,an n-undecyl group, a branched undecyl group, a secondary undecyl group,a tertiary undecyl group, an n-dodecyl group, a branched dodecyl group,a secondary dodecyl group, a tertiary dodecyl group, an n-tridecylgroup, a branched tridecyl group, a secondary tridecyl group, a tertiarytridecyl group, an n-tetradecyl group, a branched tetradecyl group, asecondary tetradecyl group, a tertiary tetradecyl group, an n-pentadecylgroup, branched pentadecyl group, a secondary pentadecyl group, tertiarypentadecyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, a branched hexadecyl group, asecondary hexadecyl group, a tertiary hexadecyl group, an n-heptadecylgroup, a branched heptadecyl group, a secondary heptadecyl group, atertiary heptadecyl group, an n-octadecyl group, a branched octadecylgroup, a secondary octadecyl group, a tertiary octadecyl group, ann-nonadecyl group, a branched nonadecyl group, a secondary nonadecylgroup, a tertiary nonadecyl group, an n-eicosyl group, a branchedeicosyl group, a secondary eicosyl group, and a tertiary eicosyl group;and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups such as a 1-butenyl group,a 2-butenyl group, a 3-butenyl group, a 1-methyl-2-propenyl group, a2-methyl-2-propenyl group, a 1-pentenyl group, a 2-pentenyl group, a3-pentenyl group, a 4-pentenyl group, a 1-methyl-2-butenyl group, a2-methyl-2-butenyl group, a 1-hexenyl group, a 2-hexenyl group, a3-hexenyl group, a 4-hexenyl group, a 5-hexenyl group, a 1-heptenylgroup, a 6-heptenyl group, a 1-octenyl group, a 7-octenyl group, a8-nonenyl group, a 1-decenyl group, a 9-decenyl group, a 10-undecenylgroup, a 1-dodecenyl group, a 4-dodecenyl group, a 11-dodecenyl group, a12-tridecenyl group, a 13-tetradecenyl group, a 14-pentadecenyl group, a15-hexadecenyl group, a 16-heptadecenyl group, a 1-octadecenyl group, a17-octadecenyl group, a 1-nonadecenyl group, and a 1-eicosenyl group;

aromatic hydrocarbon groups such as a phenyl group, a toluyl group, axylyl group, a cumenyl group, a mesityl group, a benzyl group, aphenethyl group, a styryl group, a cinnamyl group, a benzhydryl group, atrityl group, an ethylphenyl group, a propylphenyl group, a butylphenylgroup, a pentylphenyl group, a hexylphenyl group, a heptylphenyl group,an octylphenyl group, a nonylphenyl group, a decylphenyl group, anundecylphenyl group, a dodecylphenyl group, a styrenated phenyl group, ap-cumylphenyl group, a phenylphenyl group, a benzylphenyl group, anα-naphthyl group, and a β-naphthyl group; and alicyclic hydrocarbongroups such as a cyclopropyl group, a cyclobutyl group, a cyclopentylgroup, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a cyclooctyl group, amethylcyclopentyl group, a methylcyclohexyl group, a methylcycloheptylgroup, a methylcyclooctyl group, a 4,4,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexyl group,a 1,3-dibutylcyclohexyl group, a norbornyl group, a bicyclo[2.2.2]octylgroup, an adamantyl group, a 1-cyclobutenyl group, a 1-cyclopentenylgroup, a 3-cyclopentenyl group, a 1-cyclohexenyl group, a 3-cyclohexenylgroup, a 3-cycloheptenyl group, a 4-cyclooctenyl group, a2-methyl-3-cyclohexenyl group, and a 3,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexenyl group.In this invention, if R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ are not such hydrocarbon groups,it is not possible to obtain a cleansing composition that satisfies allof the advantageous effects of this invention, and especially a cleaningcomposition that exhibits excellent foaming properties and sustainedfoaming properties and imparts a favorable texture when applied.

R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ may be the same as, or different from, each other. Ofthese, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and unsaturated aliphatichydrocarbon groups are preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groupsare more preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 5 to18 carbon atoms are further preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbongroups having 8 to 14 carbon atoms are yet further preferred, andsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 10 to 12 carbon atoms aremost preferred from the perspectives of readily achieving theadvantageous effect of this invention, ease of procurement of rawmaterials and ease of production.

In general formula (1) , R³, R⁵ and R⁷ each independently denote adivalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of sucha hydrocarbon group include an ethylene group; a propane-1,3-diyl(linear propylene) group; branched propylene groups such as apropane-1,2-diyl group and a propane-2,2-diyl group; linear butylenegroups such as a butane-1,4-diyl group, a butane-1,2-diyl group, abutane-1,3-diyl group, a butane-2,3-diyl group, a butane-1,1-diyl group,and a butane-2,2-diyl group; and branched butylene groups such as a2-methylpropane-1,3-diyl group and a 2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl group. Ofthese, linear divalent hydrocarbon groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms arepreferred, an ethylene group and a propane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene)group are more preferred, and. an ethylene group is further preferredfrom the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect ofthis invention. Moreover, the R³ groups may all be the same as, ordifferent from, each other, the R⁵ groups may all be the same as, ordifferent from, each other, and the R⁷ groups may all be the same as, ordifferent from, each other.

In general formula (1), R⁴ and R⁶ each independently denote a divalenthydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms. Examples of suchhydrocarbon groups include divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having3 to 16 carbon atoms, divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 3 to16 carbon atoms and divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon groups having 3 to 16carbon atoms, These hydrocarbon groups may be any type as long as thenumber of carbon atoms falls within the range 3 to 16, but a groupobtained by removing two isocyanate groups from a diisocyanate compoundrepresented by general formula (4), which is described below, ispreferred from the perspectives of ease of production and ease ofprocurement of raw materials. A detailed explanation of this is givenlater.

a and e each independently denote a number from 10 to 100. Within thisrange, these values are preferably 12 to 50, and more preferably 15 to30, from the perspectives of ease of production and procurement of rawmaterials and readily achieving the advantageous effect of thisinvention.

d denotes a number from 100 to 500. Within this range, the value of d ispreferably 120 to 450, more preferably 150 to 400, further preferably180 to 350, and most preferably 200 to 300, from the perspective ofreadily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

g denotes a number from 0 to 10. Within this range, the value of g ispreferably 0 to 8, and more preferably 0 to 6, from the perspective ofreadily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention. Moreover,an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 0 behaves like agelling accelerator when used in combination with an aqueous gellingagent in which the value of g is 1 to 10, Therefore, from theperspective of more readily achieving the advantageous effect of thisinvention, a mixture of an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of gis 0 and an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 10 ismore preferred, a mixture of an aqueous gelling agent in which the valueof g is 0 and an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 8is further preferred, and a mixture of an aqueous gelling agent in whichthe value of g is 0 and an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of gis 1 to 6 is most preferred.

More specifically, an aqueous gelling agent in which the mass ratio of(aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 10) and (aqueousgelling agent in which the value of g is 0) is 95:5 to 85:15 can exhibitthe advantageous effect of this invention to a remarkable extent.Moreover, an aqueous gelling agent in which the mass ratio of (aqueousgelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 10) and (aqueous gellingagent in which the value of g is 0) is 95:5 to 85:15 can give a soft gelwhich has particularly good self-smoothing properties and elasticitythat enables use in a spray bottle, and can be advantageously used in acleansing agent requiring these effects. Moreover, “self-levelingproperties” means the property of naturally returning to a level surfaceafter a physical impact is applied to a gel (for example, after a gel isscooped out or stirred), In addition, “able to be used in a spraybottle” means a soft gel state that exhibits elasticity when housed in aspray bottle and is easily sprayed like water when sprayed from thespray bottle (when a shear stress is applied to the gel).

Component (A) contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition ofthis invention is an aqueous gelling agent represented by generalformula (1), for which the viscosity of a 1 mass % aqueous solution at25° C. is 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s, the clouding point of the 1 mass %aqueous solution is 60° C. to 80° C., and the weight average molecularweight is 10,000 to 30,000. The method for producing component (A) mustbe a method by which component (A) having the properties mentioned aboveis obtained. This component can be synthesized in the presence of aspecific catalyst using compounds represented by general formulae (2) to(4) below as raw materials.

In the formula, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ each independently denote a hydrocarbongroup having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R¹² denotes a divalent hydrocarbongroup having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and r denotes a number from 10 to 100.

In the formula, R¹³ denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4carbon atoms, and t denotes a number from 100 to 500.

OGN-Q-NCO   (4)

In the formula, Q denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16carbon atoms.

In general formula (2), R¹⁰ and R11 each independently denote ahydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of such ahydrocarbon group include saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups such asan n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, an s-butyl group, a t-butyl group,an n-pentyl group, a branched pentyl group, a secondary pentyl group, atertiary pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, a branched hexyl group, asecondary hexyl group, a tertiary hexyl group, an n-heptyl group, abranched heptyl group, a secondary heptyl group, a tertiary heptylgroup, an n-octyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, a branched octyl group, asecondary octyl group, a tertiary octyl group, an n-nonyl group, abranched nonyl group, a secondary nonyl group, a tertiary nonyl group,an n-decyl group, a branched decyl group, a secondary decyl group, atertiary decyl group, an n-undecyl group, a branched undecyl group, asecondary undecyl group, a tertiary undecyl group, an n-dodecyl group, abranched dodecyl group, a secondary dodecyl group, a tertiary dodecylgroup, an n-tridecyl group, a branched tridecyl group, a secondarytridecyl group, a tertiary tridecyl group, an n-tetradecyl group, abranched tetradecyl group, a secondary tetradecyl group, a tertiarytetradecyl group, an n-pentadecyl group, a branched pentadecyl group, asecondary pentadecyl group, a tertiary pentadecyl group, an n-hexadecylgroup, a branched hexadecyl group, a secondary hexadecyl group, atertiary hexadecyl group, an n-heptadecyl group, a branched heptadecylgroup, a secondary heptadecyl group, a tertiary heptadecyl group, ann-octadecyl group, a branched octadecyl group, a secondary octadecylgroup, a tertiary octadecyl group, an n-nonadecyl group, a branchednonadecyl group, a secondary nonadecyl group, a tertiary nonadecylgroup, an n-icosyl group, a branched icosyl group, a secondary icosylgroup, and a tertiary icosyl group; and. unsaturated aliphatichydrocarbon groups such as a 1-butenyl group, a 2-butenyl group, a3-butenyl group, a 1-methyl-2-propenyl group, a 2-methyl-2-propenylgroup, a 1-pentenyl group, a 2-pentenyl group, a 3-pentenyl group, a4-pentenyl group, a 1-methyl-2-butenyl group, a 2-methyl-2-butenylgroup, a 1-hexenyl group, a 2-hexenyl group, a 3-hexenyl group, a4-hexenyl group, a 5-hexenyl group, a 1-heptenyl group, a 6-heptenylgroup, a 1-octenyl group, a 7-octenyl group, a 8-nonenyl group, a1-decenyl group, a 9-decenyl group, a 10-undecenyl group, a 1-dodecenylgroup, a 4-dodecenyl group, a 11-dodecenyl group, a 12-tridecenyl group,a 13-tetradecenyl group, a 14-pentadecenyl group, a 15-hexadecenylgroup, a 16-heptadecenyl group, a 1-octadecenyl group, a 17-octadecenylgroup, a 1-nonadecenyl group, and a 1-icosenyl group.

aromatic hydrocarbon groups such as a phenyl group, a toluyl group, axylyl group, a cumenyl group, a mesityl group, a benzyl group, aphenethyl group, a styryl group, a cinnamyl group, a benzhydryl group, atrityl group, an ethylphenyl group, a propylphenyl group, a butylphenylgroup, a pentylphenyl group, a hexylphenyl group, a heptylphenyl group,an octylphenyl groups, a nonylphenyl group, a decylphenyl group, anundecylphenyl group, a dodecylphenyl group, a styrenated phenyl group, ap-cumylphenyl group, a phenylphenyl group, a benzylphenyl group, anα-naphthyl group, and a β-naphthyl group; and alicyclic hydrocarbongroups such as a cyclopropyl group, a cyclobutyl group, a cycloheptylgroup, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a cyclooctyl group, amethylcyclopentyl group, a methylcyclohexyl group, a methylcycloheptylgroup, a methylcyclooctyl group, a 4,4,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexyl group,a 1,3-dibutylcyclohexyl group, a norbornyl group, a bicyclo[2.2.2]octylgroup, an adamantyl group, a 1-cyclobutenyl group, a 1-cyclopentenylgroup, a 3-cyclopentenyl group, a 1-cyclohexenyl group, a 3-cyclohexenylgroup, a 3-cycloheptenyl group, a 4-cyclooctenyl group, a2-methyl-3-cyclohexenyl group, and a 3,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexenyl group.

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may be the same as, or different from, each other. Of these,saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and unsaturated aliphatichydrocarbon groups are preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groupsare more preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 5 to18 carbon atoms are further preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbongroups having 8 to 14 carbon atoms are yet further preferred, andsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 10 to 12 carbon atoms aremost preferred from the perspectives of readily achieving theadvantageous effect of this invention, ease of procurement of rawmaterials and ease of production.

In general formula (2), R¹² denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having2 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of such a hydrocarbon group include anethylene group; a propane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group; a branchedpropylene group such as a propane-1,2-diyl group and. a propane-2,2-diylgroup; linear butylene groups such as a butane-1,4-diyl group, abutane-1,2-diyl group, a butane-1,3-diyl group, a butane-2,3-diyl group,a butane-1,l-diyl group, and a butane-2,2-diyl group; and branchedbutylene groups such as a 2-methylpropane-1,3-diyl group and a2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl group. Of these, linear divalent hydrocarbongroups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms are preferred, an ethylene group and apropane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group are more preferred, and anethylene group is further preferred from the perspective of readilyachieving the advantageous effect of this invention. Moreover, the R¹²groups may all be the same as, or different from, each other.

r denotes a number from 10 to 100, and within this range, the value of ris preferably a number from 12 to 50, and more preferably a number from15 to 30, from the perspective of ease of procurement or production of acompound represented by general formula (2).

In general formula (3), R¹³ denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having2 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of such hydrocarbon groups include anethylene group; a propane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group; branchedpropylene groups such as a propane-1,2-diyl group and a propane-2,2-diylgroup; linear butylene groups such as a butane-1,4-diyl group, abutane-1,2-diyl group, a butane-1,3-diyl group, a butane-2,3-diyl group,a butane-1,1-diyl group and a butane-2,2-diyl group; and branchedbutylene groups such as 2-methylpropane-1,3-diyl group and a2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl group. Of these, linear divalent hydrocarbongroups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms are preferred, an ethylene group and apropane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group are more preferred, and anethylene group is further preferred from the perspective of readilyachieving the advantageous effect of this invention, Moreover, the R¹³groups may all be the same as, or different from, each other.

t denotes a number from 100 to 500, and within this range, the value oft is preferably 120 to 450, more preferably 150 to 400, furtherpreferably 180 to 350, and most preferably 200 to 300 from theperspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of thisinvention.

Examples of diisocyanate compounds represented by general formula (4)include aliphatic diisocyanates such as trimethylene diisocyanate,tetramethylene diisocyanate, pentamethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI), 2,2-dimethylpentane diisocyanate, octamethylenediisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane diisocyanate, nonamethylenediisocyanate, decamethylene diisocyanate, dodecamethylene diisocyanate,isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate(hydrogenated MDI), hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate (hydrogenatedXDI) and 2,4,4 (or 2,2,4)-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate (TMDI);and aromatic diisocyanates such as tolylene diisocyanate (TDI),diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), toluidene diisocyanate (TORI),xylylene diisocyanate (XDI) and naphthalene diisocyanate (NDI).

In general formula (4), Q may be any divalent hydrocarbon group having 3to 16 carbon atoms, but a group obtained by removing two isocyanategroups from the diisocyanate compounds listed above is preferred. Amongthe diisocyanate compounds, aliphatic diisocyanates are preferred,trimethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI), octamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate(IPDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI),hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate (hydrogenated XDI) and 2,4,4 (or2,2,4)-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate (TMDI) are more preferred,tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI),isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate(hydrogenated MDI) are further preferred, and hexamethylene diisocyanate(HDI) is most preferred.

Moreover, in general formula (1) above, R⁴ and R⁶ each independentlydenote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms. Morespecifically, groups obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from thediisocyanate compounds listed above are preferred, groups obtained byremoving two isocyanate groups from aliphatic diisocyanates are morepreferred, groups obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from any oftrimethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI), octamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate(IPDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI),hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate (hydrogenated XDI) and 2,4,4 (or2,2,4)-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate (TMDI) are further preferred,groups obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from any oftetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI),isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate(hydrogenated MDI) are yet further preferred, and a group obtained byremoving two isocyanate groups from hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) ismost preferred.

Examples of specific catalysts used when producing component (A) includehigher fatty acid metal salts selected from among lauric acid metalsalts, myristic acid metal salts, palmitic acid metal salts, stearicacid metal salts and oleic acid metal salts, and it is possible to useone or more types of these. Moreover, metal salts means any of calciumsalts, potassium salts, sodium salts and magnesium salts. Of these,lauric acid metal salts are preferred, and potassium laurate and sodiumlaurate are more preferred, from the perspective of being able toproduce an aqueous gelling agent that exhibits the advantageous effectof this invention to a remarkable extent.

In general, an aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1)can be produced with or without using a catalyst. In cases where acatalyst is used, it is possible to use a metal halide such as titaniumtetrachloride, hafnium chloride, zirconium chloride, aluminum chloride,gallium chloride, indium chloride, iron chloride, tin chloride or boronfluoride; an alkali metal or alkaline metal hydroxide, alcoholate orcarbonate, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodiummethylate, or sodium carbonate; a metal oxide such as aluminum oxide,calcium oxide, barium oxide or sodium oxide; an organometallic compoundsuch as tetraisopropyl titanate, dibutyltin dichloride, dibutyltinoxide, dibutyltin dilaurate or dibutyltinbis(2-ethylhexylthioglycolate); or a soap such as sodium octylate orpotassium octylate. However, an aqueous gelling agent represented bygeneral formula (1), for which the viscosity of an aqueous solutioncontaining 1 mass % of component (A) at 25° C. is 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s,the clouding point of the aqueous solution containing 1 mass % ofcomponent (A) is 60° C. to 80° C., and the weight average molecularweight of component (A) is 10,000 to 30,000, can be obtained using thehigher fatty acid metal salts mentioned above. In cases where a catalystis not used or in cases where a catalyst other than a higher fatty acidmetal salt is used, the viscosity of a 1 mass % aqueous solution, theclouding point of a 1 mass % aqueous solution and the weight averagemolecular weight might, in some cases, deviate from the specificationsof component (A) of this invention.

As to the amount of the higher fatty acid metal salt to be used as acatalyst, the higher fatty acid metal salt may be used at a quantity of0.01 to 5 mass % relative to the overall quantity of the reaction systemfor the production of component (A), Within this range, the higher fattyacid metal salt is preferably used at a quantity of 0.1 to 2 mass %, andmore preferably 0.5 to 1 mass %, relative to the overall reaction systemfrom the perspective of satisfactorily achieving a significantadvantageous effect. If this quantity is less than 0.01 mass %, thefunction of the catalyst is not sufficiently exhibited and component (A)used in this invention might not be obtained, and if this quantityexceeds 5 mass %, an advantageous effect commensurate with the addedquantity might not be achieved. Moreover, a removal step is not carriedout following production of component (A) in this invention, and thecatalyst remains in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition containingcomponents (A) and (B) of this invention, and the remaining quantity ofcatalyst depends on the usage quantity of the catalyst in the productionof component (A) and the blending quantity of component (A) in the skin-or hair-cleansing composition described below.

A method for synthesizing component (A) in the presence of a specificcatalyst using compounds represented by general formulae (2) to (4)listed above as raw materials can be given as an example of a method forproducing component (A). For example, a reaction should be carried outafter adding 1.5 to 2.4 moles, preferably 1.8 to 2.2 moles, and morepreferably 1.9 to 2.1 moles, of an alcohol compound represented bygeneral formula (2), 0.5 to 1.4 moles, preferably 0.8 to 1.2 moles, andmore preferably 0.9 to 1.1 moles, of a polyalkylene glycol representedby general formula (3) and a catalyst to 2 moles of a diisocyanatecompound represented by general formula (4), An example of a methodincludes one in which specific reaction conditions are such that thediisocyanate compound represented by general formula (4), the alcoholcompound represented by general formula (2) and the polyalkylene glycolrepresented by general formula (3) are added to the system together withthe catalyst and allowed to react for 1 to 10 hours at 60° C. to 100° C.An example of a method includes one in which more specific reactionconditions are such that a system containing the alcohol compoundrepresented by general formula (2) and the polyalkylene glycolrepresented by general formula (3) is homogeneously mixed, after whichthe diisocyanate compound represented by general formula (4) and thecatalyst are added and allowed to react for 1 to 10 hours at 60° C. to100° C.

The viscosity of an aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component(A), which is contained in skin- or hair-cleansing composition of thisinvention, at 25° C. is 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s. Within this range, theviscosity is preferably 1,500 to 4,000 mPa·s, and more preferably 2,000to 3,500 mPa·s, from the perspective of achieving the advantageouseffect of this invention to a more remarkable extent. A viscositymeasurement method using a B type viscometer at 25° C., as described inJIS Z 8803: 2011, can be used as a method for measuring the viscosity ofthe 1 mass % aqueous solution at 25° C.

The clouding point of the aqueous solution containing 1 mass % ofcomponent (A), which constitutes the skin- or hair-cleansing compositionof this invention, is 60° C. to 80° C. Within this range, the cloudingpoint is preferably 60° C. to 70° C. from the perspective of achievingthe advantageous effect of this invention to a more remarkable extent, Amethod comprising preparing a 1 mass % aqueous solution of component(A), gradually increasing the temperature of the aqueous solution, andtaking the clouding point to be the temperature at which turbidityoccurs can be used as a method for measuring the clouding point.

The weight average molecular weight of component (A), which is containedin the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention, is 10,000to 30,000. Within this range, the weight average molecular weight ispreferably 12,000 to 25,000, and more preferably 15,000 to 20,000, fromthe perspective of achieving the advantageous effect of this inventionto a more remarkable extent. A method comprising measuring the weightaverage molecular weight in terms of standard polystyrene using gelpermeation chromatography (GPC) can be used as a method for measuringthe weight average molecular weight. In this invention, by incorporatingcomponent (A) whose weight average molecular weight falls within thisrange, it is possible to obtain a cleansing composition that satisfiesall of the advantageous effects of this invention, and it is alsopossible to obtain, in particular, a cleansing composition that exhibitsexcellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties andimparts a favorable texture when applied.

Component (A) contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition ofthis invention is a solid or viscous substance at room temperature. Fromthe perspective of ease of handling when blended in a cleansing agent,it is preferable to first dissolve component (A) in a solvent such aswater so as to obtain a liquid. The amount of solvent is notparticularly limited, but from the perspective of ease of handling, thisquantity is preferably such that the content of component (A) is 10 to50 mass %, and more preferably 15 to 40 mass %.

Examples of solvents able to be used include water and volatile primaryalcohol compounds such as methanol, ethanol and propanol. Meanwhile,because use of volatile solvents may be restricted according to the siteof use, water is most preferred among these solvents.

The blending quantity of component (A) contained in the skin- orhair-cleansing composition of this invention is not particularlylimited, but is preferably 0.05 to 30 mass %, more preferably 0.1 to 20mass %, further preferably 0.5 to 10 mass %, and most preferably 1 to 5mass %, relative to the overall quantity of the cleansing composition inorder to form an aqueous gel that can readily achieve the advantageouseffect of this invention.

Component (B) contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition ofthis invention is an anionic surfactant. This component is notparticularly limited as long as the component is an anionic surfactantwell known in the cosmetic industry. Examples of anionic surfactantssuitable for use in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of thisinvention include higher fatty acid salt-based surfactants, sulfonicacid salt-based surfactants, sulfate ester salt-based surfactants,phosphate ester salt-based surfactants and sulfosuccinic acid salt-basedsurfactants.

Examples of higher fatty acid salt-based surfactants include salts(potassium salts, sodium salts, triethanolamine salts, ammonium salts,and the like) of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids having 12 to 18carbon atoms, coconut oil fatty acid, hydrogenated coconut oil fattyacid, palm oil fatty acid, hydrogenated palm oil fatty acid, beef tallowfatty acid, hydrogenated beef tallow fatty acid, and the like; alkylether carboxylic acid salts, alkyl allyl ether carboxylic acid salts,N-acylsarcosine salts and N-acylglutamic acid salts. Specific examplesthereof include potassium laurate, sodium laurate, sodium palmitate,potassium myristate, sodium lauryl ether carboxylate, sodiumN-lauroylsarcosinate, sodium N-lauroylglutamate, sodium coconut oilfatty acid glutamate, disodium N-stearoylglutamate, monosodiumN-myristoyl-L-glutamate, sodium coconut oil fatty acid isethionate andtriethanolamine coconut oil fatty acid.

Examples of sulfonic acid salt-based surfactants include higher fattyacid amide sulfonic acid salts, alkylbenzene sulfonic acid salts,N-acylamino sulfonic acid salts, α-olefin sulfonic acid salts, higherfatty acid ester sulfonic acid salts and hydroxyalkyl sulfonic acidsalts. Specific examples thereof include sodiumN-myristoyl-N-methyltaurine, sodium N-stearoyl-N-methyltaurine, sodiumcoconut oil fatty acid methyltaurine, sodium coconut oil fatty acidacylmethyltaurine, sodium laurylmethyltaurine, sodium salts of (C₁₄-C₁₆)olefin sulfonic acids, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, triethanolaminedodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium N-cocoyl-N-methyltaurine and sodiumlauryl glucosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate.

Examples of sulfate ester-based surfactants include higher alkylsulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, higher fatty acid estersulfates, secondary alcohol sulfates and higher fatty acid alkylolamidesulfates. Specific examples thereof include sodium lauryl sulfate,potassium lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine polyoxyethylene laurylsulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl sulfate and sodium hydrogenatedcoconut oil fatty acid glycerin sulfate. Examples of phosphateester-based surfactants include triethanolamine monolauryl phosphate,dipotassium monolauryl phosphate, sodium polyoxyethylene oleyl etherphosphate and sodium polyoxyethylene stearyl ether phosphate.

Examples of sulfosuccinic acid salt-based surfactants include sodiumpolyoxyethylene alkyl sulfosuccinates, sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate, sodium monolauroyl monoethanolamide polyoxyethylenesulfosuccinate and sodium lauryl polypropylene glycol sulfosuccinate. Ofthese, higher fatty acid salt-based surfactants, sulfonic acidsalt-based surfactants and sulfate ester salt-based surfactants arepreferred from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageouseffect of this invention.

It is possible to blend one or more anionic surfactants, which arecomponents (B) that constitute the skin- or hair-cleansing compositionof this invention. The blending quantity thereof is not particularlylimited, but is preferably 0.5 to 50 mass %, more preferably 3 to 30mass %, and further preferably 5 to 20 mass %, relative to the overallquantity of the cleansing composition from the perspective of readilyachieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

The blending ratio (mass ratio) of component (A) and component (B) isnot particularly limited, but from the perspectives of exhibiting thegelling effect of component (A) to a remarkable extent and achievingflow properties suitable for a cleansing composition, the component(A):component (B) mass ratio is preferably 1:0,02 to 1:50, morepreferably 1:0.03 to 1:30, and further preferably 1:0.1 to 1:10.

Furthermore, the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this inventionmay contain an amphoteric surfactant as a component (C), and using sucha component in combination with component (A) and component (B) ispreferred from the perspective of being able to obtain a skin- orhair-cleansing composition that exhibits excellent foaming propertiesand sustained foaming properties and imparts a favorable texture whenapplied.

Component (C) is not particularly limited as long as this is anamphoteric surfactant well known in the cosmetic industry, and examplesof amphoteric surfactants suitable for use in the skin- orhair-cleansing composition of this invention include imidazoline-basedamphoteric surfactants, betaine type amphoteric surfactants, acyltertiary amine oxides and acyl tertiary phosphine oxides.

Examples of imidazoline-based amphoteric surfactants include sodium2-undecyl-N,N,N-(hydroxyethylcarboxymethyl)-2-imidazoline and2-cocoyl-2-imidazolinium hydroxide-1-carboxyethyloxy disodium salt.Examples of betaine-based amphoteric surfactants include alkyl betaines,alkylamide betaines, alkylsulfo betaines, alkylhydroxysulfo betaines andphosphobetaines, and specific examples thereof include lauryldimethylamino acetic acid betaine, myristyl dimethylamino acetic acidbetaine, coconut oil fatty acid amidopropyl betaine, coconut oil fattyacid dimethylsulfopropyl betaine, lauryldimethylaminohydroxysulfobetaine, laurylhydroxyphosphobetaine,2-heptadecyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine andcoconut oil alkyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine, Examples of acyltertiary amine oxides include lauryldimethylamine oxide. Examples ofacyl tertiary phosphine oxides include lauryldimethylphosphine oxide. Ofthese, betaine-based amphoteric surfactants are more preferred from theperspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of thisinvention.

It is possible to blend one or more amphoteric surfactants, which arecomponents (C), and the blending quantity thereof is not particularlylimited, but is preferably 0 to 40 mass %, more preferably 1 to 20 mass%, and further preferably 2 to 10 mass %, relative to the overallquantity of the cleansing composition from the perspective of readilyachieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

Moreover, in cases where the anionic surfactant of component (B) and theamphoteric surfactant of component (C) are both used, the blending ratio(mass ratio) of these components is not particularly limited, but thecomponent (B):component (C) mass ratio is preferably 10:0 to 10:40, andpreferably 10:2 to 10:10, from the perspective of readily achieving theadvantageous effect of this invention.

Furthermore, the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this compositionmay contain a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer, which isone type of non-ionic surfactant, as a component (D), and using such acomponent in combination with component (A) and component (B) ispreferred from the perspective of being able to obtain a skin- orhair-cleansing composition that exhibits flow properties suitable for acleansing agent and imparts a favorable texture when applied.

Component (D) is not particularly limited as long as this is apolyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer well-known in thecosmetic industry, but examples of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropyleneblock copolymers suitable for use in the skin- or hair-cleansingcomposition of this invention include Poloxamer 101, Poloxamer 105,Poloxamer 123, Poloxamer 1214, Poloxamer 181, Poloxamer 182, Poloxamer184, Poloxamer 185, Poloxamer 188, Poloxamer 215, Poloxamer 217,Poloxamer 234, Poloxamer 235, Poloxamer 331, Poloxamer 333, Poloxamer335, Poloxamer 338 and Poloxamer 407. Of these, Poloxamer 184 is morepreferred from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageouseffect of this invention.

It is possible to blend one or more polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropyleneblock copolymers, which are components (D), and the blending quantitythereof is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0 to 40 mass %,more preferably 1 to 20 mass %, and further preferably 2 to 10 mass %,relative to the overall quantity of the cleansing composition from theperspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of thisinvention.

Moreover, in cases where the anionic surfactant of component (B) and thepolyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer of component (D) areboth used, the blending ratio (mass ratio) of these components is notparticularly limited, but the mass ratio of anionic surfactant topolyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer is preferably 10:0 to10:40, and the mass ratio of anionic surfactant topolyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer is preferably 10:2 to10:20 from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effectof this invention.

In addition, in cases where the skin- or hair-cleansing composition ofthis invention contains both the amphoteric surfactant of component (C)and the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer of component(D), the blending ratio (mass ratio) of these components is notparticularly limited, but the mass ratio of component (C) to component(D) is preferably 10:1 to 10:100, more preferably 10:2 to 10:50, andfurther preferably 10:5 to 10:20 from the perspective of readilyachieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

The skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention may containother additives commonly used in cosmetic compositions in order toimpart a variety of characteristics as appropriate within qualitativeand quantitative ranges without impairing the advantageous effect ofthis invention. Examples thereof include powder components, liquidoils/fats, ester oils, silicone oils, solid oils/fats, waxes,hydrocarbon oils, higher fatty acids, higher alcohols, polyol compounds,non-ionic surfactants other than the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropyleneblock copolymer of component (D), cationic surfactants, humectants,water-soluble polymer compounds, metal ion sequestering agents, sugars,amino acids and derivatives thereof, organic amines, pH adjustingagents, antioxidants, preservatives, blood circulation promoters,antiphlogistic agents, activators, whitening agents, antiseborrheicagents, anti-inflammatory agents and a variety of extracts, and one ormore of these can be blended according to need.

Examples of powder components include inorganic powders (for example,talc, kaolin, mica, sericite, muscovite, phlogopite, synthetic mica, redmica, biotite, vermiculite, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate,aluminum silicate, barium silicate, calcium silicate, magnesiumsilicate, strontium silicate, metal tungstates, magnesium, silica,zeolites, barium sulfate, calcined calcium sulfate (calcined gypsum),calcium phosphate, fluorapatite, hydroxyapatite, ceramic powders, metalsoaps (for example, zinc myristate, calcium palmitate and aluminumstearate), boron nitride, and the like); organic powders (for example,polyamide resin powders (nylon powders), polyethylene powders,poly(methyl methacrylate) powders, polystyrene powders, styrene-acrylicacid copolymer resin powders, benzoguanamine resin powders,polytetrafluoroethylene powders, cellulose powders, and the like);inorganic white pigments (for example, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, andthe like);, inorganic red pigments (for example, iron oxide (red ironoxide), iron titanate, and the like); inorganic brown pigments (forexample, γ-iron oxide and the like); inorganic yellow pigments (forexample, yellow iron oxide, loess, and the like); inorganic blackpigments (for example, black iron oxide, lower-order titanium oxides,and the like); inorganic violet pigments (for example, manganese violet,cobalt violet, and the like); inorganic green pigments (for example,chromium oxide, chromium hydroxide, cobalt titanate, and the like);inorganic blue pigments (for example, ultramarine blue, Prussian blue,and the like); pearlescent pigments (for example, titanium oxide-coatedmica, titanium oxide-coated bismuth oxychloride, titanium oxide-coatedtalc, colored titanium oxide-coated mica, bismuth oxychloride, fishscales, and the like); metal powder pigments (for example, aluminumpowders, copper powders, and the like); organic pigments such aszirconium, barium and aluminum lakes (for example, organic pigments suchas Red 201, Red 202, Red 204, Red 205, Red 220, Red 226, Red 228, Red405, Orange 203, Orange 204, Yellow 205, Yellow 401 and Blue 404; Red 3,Red 104, Red 106, Red 227, Red 230, Red 401, Red 505, Orange 205, Yellow4, Yellow 5, Yellow 202, Yellow 203, Green 3, Blue 1, and the like); andnatural dyes (for example, chlorophyll, p-carotene, and the like).

Examples of liquid oils/fats include avocado oil, camellia oil, turtleoil, macadamia nut oil, corn oil, mink oil, olive oil, rape seed oil,egg yolk oil, sesame oil, persic oil, wheat germ oil, sasanqua oil,castor oil, linseed oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, perilla oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, tea seed oil, kaya oil, rice bran oil, Chinesetung oil, Japanese tung oil, jojoba oil, germ oil, and triglycerides.

Examples of ester oils include isopropyl myristate, octyldodecylmyristate, isopropyl isostearate, isononyl isononanoate, isotridecylisononanoate, butyl stearate, oleyl oleate, octyldodecyl ricinoleate,octyl hydroxystearate, ethylhexyl para-methoxycinnamate, neopentylglycol dicaprate, propylene glycol dicaprate, diisostearyl malate,polyglyceryl diisostearate, polyglyceryl triisostearate, glyceryldiisostearate, glyceryl triisostearate, glyceryl tri(caprylate/caprate),glyceryl trihexanoate, glyceryl tri-2-ethylhexanoate, trimethylolpropanetri-2-ethylhexanoate, trimethylolpropane triisostearate,dl-α-tocopherol, dl-α-tocopherol nicotinate, pentaerythrityltetraoctanoate, and dipentaerythrityl tripolyhydroxystearate.

Examples of silicone oils include polysiloxanes, dimethylpolysiloxanes,dimethicone, methylphenylpolysiloxanes, cyclic dimethicone,amino-modified silicones, carbinol-modified silicones,methacrylic-modified silicones, mercapto-modified silicones,phenol-modified silicones, polyether-modified silicones,methylstyryl-modified silicones, alkyl-modified silicones, and higherfatty acid ester-modified silicones.

Examples of solid oils/fats include cocoa butter, coconut oil,hydrogenated coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, Japan wax kerneloil, hydrogenated oils, Japan wax, and hydrogenated castor oil.

Examples of waxes include beeswax, candelilla wax, cotton wax, carnaubawax, bayberry wax, insect wax, spermaceti, montan wax, bran wax,lanolin, kapok wax, lanolin acetate, liquid lanolin, sugar cane wax,isopropyl lanolin fatty acids, hexyl laurate, reduced lanolin, jojobawax, hard lanolin, shellac wax, POE lanolin alcohol ethers, POE lanolinalcohol acetates, POE cholesterol ethers, polyethylene glycol lanolate,and POE hydrogenated lanolin alcohol ethers,

Examples of hydrocarbon oils include liquid paraffin, ozokerite,squalane, pristane, paraffin, ceresin, squalene, Vaseline, andmicrocrystalline waxes.

Examples of higher fatty acids include decanoic acid, lauric acid,myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid,undecylenic acid, tall oil fatty acids, 12-hydroxystearic acid,isostearic acid, linolic acid, linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Examples of higher alcohols include linear alcohols such as decylalcohol, lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenylalcohol, myristyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, and cetostearyl alcohol; andbranched alcohols such as monostearyl glycerin ether (batyl alcohol),2-decyltetradecyl alcohol, lanolin alcohol, cholesterol, phytosterols,hexyldodecanol, isostearyl alcohol, and octyldodecanol.

Examples of polyol compounds include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol,butylene glycol, glycerin, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, andsugar alcohols.

Examples of non-ionic surfactants except apolyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer as the component (D)include sorbitan fatty acid esters (for example, sorbitan monooleate,sorbitan monoisostearate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate,sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan sesquiolate, sorbitan trioleate,diglycerol sorbitan penta-2-ethylhexanoate, diglycerol sorbitantetra-2-ethylhexanoate, and the like); glycerol/polyglycerol fatty acids(for example, glycerol mono-cottonseed oil fatty acids, glycerolmonoerucate, glycerol sesquioleate, glycerol monostearate, glycerolPOE-monostearate, polyglycerol monoisostearate, glycerol α,α′-oleatepyroglutamate, glycerol monostearate malate, and the like); propyleneglycol fatty acid esters (for example, propylene glycol monostearate andthe like); hydrogenated castor oil derivatives; glycerol/polyglycerolalkyl ethers (for example, polyglyceryl/polyoxybutylene stearyl etherand the like); POE-sorbitan fatty acid esters (for example, POE-sorbitanmonooleate, POE-sorbitan monostearate, POE-sorbitan tetraoleate, and thelike); POE sorbitol fatty acid esters (for example, POE-sorbitolmonolaurate, POE-sorbitol monooleate, POE-sorbitol pentaoleate,POE-sorbitol monostearate, and the like); POE-glycerin fatty acid esters(for example, POE-glycerin monostearate, POE-glycerin monoisostearate,POE-glycerin triisostearate); and POE-difatty acid esters (for example,POE-distearate, POE-dioleate, and the like);

POE-alkyl ethers (for example, POE-lauryl ether, POE-oleyl ether,POE-stearyl ether, POE-behenyl ether, POE-2-octyldodecyl ether,POE-cholestanol ether, and the like); POE/POP-alkyl ethers (for example,POE/POP-lauryl ether, POE/POP-cetyl ether, POE/POP-2-decyltetradecylether, POE/POP-monobutyl ether, POE/POP-hydrogenated lanolin,POE/POP-glycerin ether, and the like); tetra. POE/tetraPOP-ethylenediamine condensates (for example, Tetronic surfactants andthe like); POE-castor oil/hydrogenated castor oil derivatives (forexample, POE-castor oil, POE-hydrogenated castor oil, POE-hydrogenatedcastor oil monoisostearate, POE-hydrogenated castor oil triisostearate,POE-hydrogenated castor oil monopyroglutamate monoisostearate diester,POE-hydrogenated castor oil maleate, and the like); POE beeswax/lanolinderivatives (for example, POE sorbitol beeswax and the like);alkanolamides (for example, coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide,coconut oil fatty acid monoethanolamide, lauric acid monoethanolamide,fatty acid isopropanolamides, and the like); POE-propylene glycol fattyacid esters; POE alkylamines; N-methylalkylglucamides (for example,N-methyllaurylglucamide and the like); N-polyhydroxyalkyl fatty acidamides; POE-fatty acid amides; sucrose fatty acid esters (for example,sucrose monostearate, sucrose monolaurate, POE-sucrose monolaurate, andthe like); alkylethoxydimethylamine oxides; and trioleylphosphonic acid.Moreover, POE is an abbreviation of polyoxyethylene, and POP is anabbreviation of polyoxypropylene.

Examples of cationic surfactants include alkyltrimethyl ammonium saltssuch as cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyltrimethyl ammoniumchloride, lauryltrimethyl ammonium chloride, behenyltrimethyl ammoniumchloride and behenyltrimethyl ammonium methosulfate; alkyltriethylammonium salts such as cetyltriethyl ammonium chloride, stearyltriethylammonium chloride, lauryltriethyl ammonium chloride, behenyltriethylammonium chloride cetyltriethyl ammonium methosulfate andbehenyltriethyl ammonium methosulfate; dialkyldimethyl ammonium saltssuch as distearyldimethyl ammonium chloride, dicetyldimethyl ammoniumchloride, dilauryldimethyl ammonium chloride and stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride; alkoxyalkyltrimethyl ammonium salts such asstearoxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, stearoxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and stearoxyhydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride;salts produced by reacting an alkyldimethylamine, such asN,N-dimethylbehenylamine or N,N-dimethylstearylamine, with an organicacid or inorganic acid; salts produced by reacting analkoxydimethylamine, such as N,N-dimethyl-3-hexadecyloxypropylamine orN,N-dimethyl-3-octadecyloxypropylamine, with an organic acid orinorganic acid; and amide compounds such as diethylaminoethyl stearicacid amide, dimethylaminoethyl stearic acid amide, diethylaminoethylpalmitic acid amide, dimethylaminoethyl palmitic acid amide,diethylaminoethyl myristic acid amide, dimethylaminoethyl myristic acidamide, diethylaminoethyl behenic acid amide, dimethylaminoethyl behenicacid amide, diethylaminopropyl stearic acid amide, dimethylaminopropylstearic acid amide, diethylaminopropyl palmitic acid amide,dimethylaminopropyl palmitic acid amide, diethylaminopropyl myristicacid amide, dimethylaminopropyl myristic acid amide, diethylaminopropylbehenic acid amide and dimethylaminopropyl behenic acid amide.

Examples of humectants include polyethylene glycol, xylitol, sorbitol,maltitol, L-glutamic acid, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid,mucoitin sulfate, calonic acid, atelocollagen,cholesteryl-12-hydroxystearate, sodium lactate, bile salts,dl-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid salts, short chain soluble collagen,diglycerol (EO)PO adducts, Rosa roxburghii extract, Achilles millefoliumextract, and melilot extract,

Examples of water-soluble polymer compounds include starch-basedpolymers (for example, carboxymethyl starch, methylhydroxypropyl starch,and the like); cellulose-based polymers (methyl cellulose, ethylcellulose, methylhydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodiumcellulose sulfate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose,sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, crystalline cellulose, cellulosepowders, and the like); alginic acid-based polymers (for example, sodiumalginate, propylene glycol alginate, and the like): vinyl-based polymers(for example, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl methyl ether),polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxyvinyl polymers, and the like);polyoxyethylene-based polymers (for example,polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers prepared from polyethyleneglycol 20,000, 40,000 or 60,000 and the like); acrylic-based polymers(for example, sodium polyacrylate, poly(ethyl acrylate), polyacrylamide,and the like); polyethyleneimine, and cation polymers.

Examples of metal ion-sequestering agents include1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, tetrasodium1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate, disodium edetate, trisodium edetate,tetrasodium edetate, sodium citrate, sodium polyphosphate, sodiummetaphosphate, gluconic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, ascorbicacid, succinic acid, edetic acid and trisodium ethylenediaminehydroxyethyl triacetate,

Examples of monosaccharides include trioses (for example, D-glycerylaldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, and the like); tetroses (for example,D-erythrose, D-erythrulose, D-threose, erythritol, and the like);pentoses (for example, L-arabinose, D-xylose, L-lyxose, D-arabinose,D-ribose, D-ribulose, D-xylulose, L-xylulose, and the like); hexoses(for example, D-glucose, D-talose, D-psicose, D-galactose, D-fructose,L-galactose, L-mannose, D-tagatose, and the like); heptoses (forexample, aldoheptose, hepulose, and the like); octoses (for example,octulose and the like), deoxy sugars (for example, 2-deoxy-D-ribose,6-deoxy-L-galactose, 6-deoxy-L-mannose, and the like); amino sugars (forexample, D-glucosamine, D-galactosamine, sialic acid, aminouronic acid,muramic acid, and the like); uronic acids (for example, D-glucuronicacid, D-mannuronic acid, L-guluronic acid, D-galacturonic acid,L-iduronic acid, and the like).

Examples of oligosaccharides include sucrose, umbelliferose, lactose,planteose, isolychnose, α,α-trehalose, raffinose, lychnose, umbilicin,stachyose and verbascose.

Examples of polysaccharides include cellulose, quince seed, chondroitinsulfate, starch, galactan, dermatan sulfate, glycogen, gum Arabic,heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, gum tragacanth, keratan sulfate,chondroitin, xanthan gum, mucoitin sulfate, guar gum, dextran,keratosulfate, locust bean gum, succinoglycan and calonic acid.

Examples of amino acids include neutral amino acids (for example,threonine, cysteine, and the like) and basic amino acids (for example,hydroxylysine). In addition, examples of amino acid derivatives includesodium acyl sarcosinate (sodium lauroyl sarcosinate), acyl glutamates,sodium acyl β-alanine, glutathione and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid.

Examples of organic amines include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine,triethanolamine, morpholine, triisopropanolamine,2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propane diol and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol.

Examples of pH-adjusting agents include buffering agents such as lacticacid-sodium lactate, citric acid-sodium citrate and succinic acid-sodiumsuccinate.

Examples of vitamins include vitamins A, E1, B2, B6, C and E andderivatives thereof, pantothenic acid and derivatives thereof, andbiotin.

Examples of antioxidants include tocopherols, dibutylhydroxytoluene,butylhydroxyanisole, and gallic acid esters.

Examples of other components able to be blended include preservatives(methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, phenoxyethanol, and thelike); antiphlogistic agents (for example, glycyrrhizinic acidderivatives, glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives, salicylic acidderivatives, hinokitiol, zinc oxide, allantoin, and the like); whiteningagents (for example, meadow saxifrage extracts, arbutin, and the like);a variety of extracts (for example, Phellodendron amurense, Coptisjaponica, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Chinese peony, Japanese greengentian, birch, sage, Eriobotrya japonica, carrot, aloe, common mallow,iris, grape, coix seed, sponge cucumber, lily, saffron, Cnidiumofficinale, ginger, Hypericum erectum, Restharrows, garlic, red pepper,Citrus reticulata peel, Angelica acutiloba, seaweed, and the like);activators (for example, royal jelly, photosensitizers, cholesterolderivatives, and the like); blood circulation promoters (for example,benzyl nicotinate, β-butoxyethyl nicotinate, capsaicin, zingerone,cantharidis tincture, ichthammol, tannic acid, α-borneol, tocopherolnicotinate, inositol hexanicotinate, cyclandelate, cinnarizine,tolazoline, acetylcholine, verapamil, cepharanthirie, γ-oryzanol, andthe like); antiseborrheic agents (for example, sulfur, thianthol, andthe like); and anti-inflammatory agents (for example, tranexamic acid,thiotaurine, hypotaurine, and the like).

Products able to use the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of thisinvention are not particularly limited, but the skin- or hair-cleansingcomposition of this invention can be used in products requiring theadvantageous effect of this invention, such as cleansing agents for thebody (body shampoos, body soaps and the like), cleansing agents for theface (face cleaning foams and the like) and cleansing agents for hair(shampoos and the like), and can be advantageously used in cleansingcompositions requiring viscosity (jelly-like and gel-like compositionsand the like).

In addition, the aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula(1) of component (A) of this invention, for which the viscosity of a 1mass % aqueous solution at 25° C. is 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s, the cloudingpoint of the 1 mass % aqueous solution is 60° C. to 80° C., and theweight average molecular weight is 10,000 to 30,000, can be used inorder to improve at least one, and preferably all, of the advantageouseffects selected from among flow properties, temperature stability interms of viscosity, foaming properties, sustained foaming properties andtexture of when hair a skin- or hair-cleansing composition containing ananionic surfactant is applied.

EXAMPLES

This invention will now be explained in detail by means of examples, butthis invention is in no way limited to these examples, and may bealtered as long as such alterations do not deviate from the scope ofthis invention. Moreover, in the examples etc. given below, % means masspercentage unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

First, component (A) used in the examples and comparative examples wasproduced.

<Raw Materials used to Produce Component (A)>

The raw materials used when producing component (A) are as follows

Compound (2)-1: A compound in which R¹⁰ is a decyl group, R¹¹ is adodecyl group, R¹² is an ethylene group and r=20 in general formula (2)

Compound (2)-2: A compound in which R¹⁰ is an octyl group, R¹¹ is adecyl group, R¹² is an ethylene group and r=20 in general formula (2)

Compound (2)-3: A compound in which R¹⁰ is a dodecyl group, R¹¹ is atetradecyl group, R¹² is an ethylene group and r=20 in general formula(2)

Compound (2)-4: A compound in which R¹⁰ is a decyl group, R¹¹ is adodecyl group, R¹² is an ethylene group and r=100 in general formula (2)

Compound (3)-1: A compound in which R¹³ is an ethylene group and t=250in general formula (3)

Compound (3)-2: A compound in which R¹³ is an ethylene group and t=450in general formula (3)

Compound (4)-1: Hexamethylene diisocyanate Compound (4)-2:Dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI)

Catalyst 1: Potassium laurate

Catalyst 2: Sodium laurate

Catalyst 3: Tetraisopropyl titanate

Catalyst Dibutyltin dilaurate

<Method for Producing Component (A)>

550 g (0.05 moles) of compound (3)-1 and 198 g (0.16 moles) of compound(2)-1 were placed in a four neck flask equipped with a temperaturegauge, a nitrogen inlet tube and a stirrer, the temperature wasincreased to 40° C. to 50° C., stirring was carried out until thecomponents were homogeneously mixed, and once it had been confirmed thatcomponents were homogeneously mixed, 29.6 g (0.18 moles) of compound(4)-1 and 5.8 g (0.02 moles) of catalyst 1 were placed in the flask, andthe system was purged with nitrogen. Component (A)-1 was then obtainedby increasing the temperature to 80° C. to 90° C. and allowing areaction to take place for 6 hours at this temperature.

Components (A)-2 to (A)-12 were produced by means of a similar methodusing the raw materials shown in Table 1. Moreover, components (A)-9 and(A)-10 were produced without using a catalyst, and components (A)-1 to(A)-12 were all produced using the same total mass of compound (2),compound (3) and compound (4), which are raw materials (that is, themass of the overall reaction system).

TABLE 1 Raw materials Usage quantities (moles) of raw materials CompoundCompound Compound Compound Compound Compound (2) (3) (4) Catalyst (2)(3) (4) Catalyst Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.16 0.050.18 0.02 (A)-1 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound CompoundCatalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-2 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 1 ComponentCompound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-3 (2)-2(3)-1 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.060.11 0.02 (A)-4 (2)-3 (3)-1 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound CompoundCatalyst 0.07 0.04 0.07 0.02 (A)-5 (2)-4 (3)-1 (4)-1 1 ComponentCompound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.07 0.03 0.07 0.02 (A)-6 (2)-1(3)-2 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.060.11 0.02 (A)-7 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-2 1 Component Compound Compound CompoundCatalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-8 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 2 ComponentCompound Compound Compound None 0.16 0.05 0.18 — (A)-9 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1Component Compound Compound Compound None 0.11 0.06 0.11 — (A)-10 (2)-1(3)-1 (4)-1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.06 0.110.02 (A)-11 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 3 Component Compound Compound CompoundCatalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-12 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 4

The constitutions and physical properties of obtained components (A)-1to (A)-12 are shown in Table 2. Moreover, the obtained components (A)were mixtures of an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g ingeneral formula (1) is 1 to 10 and an aqueous gelling agent in which thevalue of g is 0, and the mass ratios of the aqueous gelling agents arealso shown in Table 2.

Method for Measuring Viscosity of 1 Mass % Aqueous Solution

Measurement samples were prepared by adding water to the obtainedcomponents (A) so as to obtain a 1 mass % aqueous solution, and theviscosity of each aqueous solution was measured at 25° C. using a B typeviscometer (a TVB-10 available from Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.).

Method for Measuring Clouding Point of 1 Mass % Aqueous Solution

The thus prepared 1 mass % aqueous solution of component (A) was placedin a constant temperature bath, the temperature was gradually increased(at a rate of approximately 1° C./min), and the clouding point (° C.)was taken to be the temperature at which turbidity occurred.

Method for Measuring Weight Average Molecular Weight

Weight average molecular weight was measured by means of gel permeationchromatography (GPC). Detailed measurement conditions are as follows.

-   GPC apparatus: HLC-8220GPC (Tosoh Corporation)-   Column: Five columns connected in series, namely one TSKgel guard    column SuperMP (HZ)-N column and four TSKgel SuperMultipore HZ-N    columns,-   Detector: RI-   Sample concentration: 5 mg/ml (in THF solution)-   Column temperature: 40° C.-   Standard sample: Polystyrene

In component (A), the mass ratio of a compound in which the value of gin general formula (1) is 0 and a compound in which the value of g is 1to 10 is calculated from the area ratio of charts obtained from the GPCmentioned above.

TABLE 2 Physical properties of 1% aqueous solution constitution ofcomponent (A) of component (A) Weight average Viscosity Clouding pointmolecular weight Mass ratio* (mPa · s, 25° C.) (° C.) Component (A)-116,000 85:15 4500 62 Component (A)-2 20,000 90:10 3500 65 Component(A)-3 18,000 90:10 1500 70 Component (A)-4 22,000 90:10 3500 65Component (A)-5 25,000 90:10 3000 70 Component (A)-6 29,000 85:15 300060 Component (A)-7 20,000 90:10 3500 65 Component (A)-8 20,000 90:103500 65 Component (A)-9 12,000 80:20 500 90 Component (A)-10 15,00098:2  800 85 Component (A)-11 13,000 85:15 5500 55 Component (A)-1212,000 85:15 6000 53 *Mass ratio of (aqueous gelling agent in whichvalue of g is 1 to 10) and (aqueous gelling agent in which value of g is0) in general formula (1)

<Component B>

Component (B) used in the examples and comparative examples are shownbelow.

-   Component (B)-1: Sodium coconut oil fatty acid methyltaurine-   Component (B)-2: Sodium coconut oil fatty acid glutamate-   Component (B)-3: Sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate-   Component (B)-4: Sodium salts of (C14-C16) olefin sulfonic acids-   Component (B)-5: Sodium lauryl glucosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate

<Component (C)>

Component (C) used in the examples and comparative examples is shownbelow

-   Component (C)-1: Coconut oil fatty acid amidopropyl betaine

<Component (D)>

Component (D) used in the examples and comparative examples is shownbelow.

-   Component (D)-1: Poloxamer 184

<Preparation of Cleansing Compositions>

Cleansing compositions were prepared using the above-mentionedcomponents (A) to (D) (see Tables 3 to 7)

TABLE 3 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam-Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- ple 1 ple 2 ple 3ple 4 ple 5 ple 6 ple 7 ple 8 ple 9 ple 1 ple 2 ple 3 ple 4 ple 5Component 10.0 (A)-1 Component 10.0 5.0 (A)-2 Component 10.0 (A)-3Component 10.0 (A)-4 Component 10.0 (A)-5 Component 10.0 (A)-6 Component10.0 (A)-7 Component 10.0 (A)-8 Component 10.0 (A)-9 Component 10.0(A)-10 Component 10.0 (A)-11 Component 10.0 (A)-12 Component 25.0 25.025.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 (B)-5Purified Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance BalanceBalance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance water Total 500 500 500500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 Unit: g

TABLE 4 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam-Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- ple 10 ple 11 ple 12 ple13 ple 14 ple 15 ple 16 ple 17 ple 6 ple 7 ple 8 ple 9 ple 10 Component25.0 (A)-1 Component 25.0 (A)-2 Component 25.0 (A)-3 Component 25.0(A)-4 Component 25.0 (A)-5 Component 25.0 (A)-6 Component 25.0 (A)-7Component 25.0 (A)-8 Component 25.0 (A)-9 Component 25.0 (A)-10Component 25.0 (A)-11 Component 25.0 (A)-12 Component 25.0 25.0 25.025.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 (B)-1 Component 25.025.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 (D)-1Purified Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance BalanceBalance Balance Balance Balance Balance water Total 500 500 500 500 500500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 Unit: g

TABLE 5 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example ExampleExample Example Example Example Example 18 19 20 21 11 12 13 14 15Component 15.0 (A)-1 Component 15.0 (A)-2 Component 15.0 (A)-3 Component15.0 (A)-8 Component 15.0 (A)-9 Component 15.0 (A)-10 Component 15.0(A)-11 Component 15.0 (A)-12 Component 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.512.5 12.5 12.5 (B)-3 Component 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.512.5 (B)-4 Component 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 (D)-1Purified Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance BalanceBalance water Total 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 Unit: g

TABLE 6 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example ExampleExample Example Example 22 23 16 17 18 19 20 Component (A)-1 25.0Component (A)-2 25.0 Component (A)-9 5.0 Component (A)-10 25.0Carboxyvinyl 25.0 polymer Xanthan gum 25.0 Component (B)-1 15.0 15.015.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 Component (C)-1 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.015.0 Purified water Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance BalanceBalance Total 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 Unit: g Carboxyvinyl polymer:Carbopol 980 (available from Nippon Lubrizol) Xanthan gum: Keltrol CG-T(available from Sansho Co., Ltd.)

TABLE 7 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example ExampleExample 24 25 21 22 23 24 Component (A)-2 25.0 25.0 Component (A)-1025.0 25.0 Component (B)-1 25.0 25.0 25.0 Component (B)-2 15.0 2.5 15.015.0 2.5 2.5 Component (C)-1 15.0 15.0 15.0 Component (D)-1 25.0 15.025.0 25.0 15.0 15.0 Purified water Balance Balance Balance BalanceBalance Balance Total 500 500 500 500 500 500 Unit: g

<Cleansing Composition Performance Evaluations>

The cleansing compositions of Examples 1 to 25 and Comparative Examples1 to 24, which were produced using the compositions shown in Tables 3 to7, were evaluated in terms of (1) flow properties, (2) temperaturestability in terms of viscosity, (3) foaming properties, (4) sustainedfoaming properties and (5) texture (fresh feeling) when applied.Evaluation criteria are as described below, Moreover, viscositymeasurements were carried out using a B type viscometer (a TVB-10available from Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.).

(1) Flow Properties

In cases where a cleansing composition was used as a body shampoo, ahair shampoo, or the like, a sensory evaluation test was carried out asto whether or not the composition exhbited flow properties thatfacilitated such a use. Skin- or hair-cleansing compositions used asbody shampoos, hair shampoos, and the like, are often used by applyingthe cleansing composition to the hand and then spreading the compositionacross the body or hair, or by foaming the cleansing composition afterallowing the composition to penetrate into a towel or the like.Therefore, liquids having low viscosity, such as water, have usagedrawbacks such as the liquid dripping from hands or towels. In addition,body shampoos, hair shampoos, and the like, are often housed in pumptype containers, and these cleansing agents must have a viscositysuitable for being discharged from such containers. That is, if theviscosity is too high also, drawbacks occur in terms of handling duringuse, such as ease in applying and spreading the cleansing agent on thebody or hair. That is, the usability during use of a cleansing agentsuch as a body shampoo or hair shampoo was evaluated from theperspective of flow properties in this test according to the criteriagiven below.

Specifically, 50 g of cleansing compositions prepared using thecompositions shown in Tables 3 to 7 were placed in 100 mL pump typecontainers and comprehensively evaluated by 10 people in terms of (i)ease of discharge from the pump type container and (ii) ease ofapplication and spreading (ease of handling) when the cleansing cosmeticwas discharged into the palm of the hand and applied to the hair orbody, with the highest score being 5 points (and the lowest score being1 point), and the total scores were evaluated as A to E using thecriteria below. In these evaluations, B or higher was taken to be apass.

-   A: Total score of 45 to 50 points-   B: Total score of 40 to 44 points-   C: Total score of 35 to 39 points-   D: Total score of 30 to 34 points-   E: Total score of 29 points or less

(2) Temperature Stability in Terms of Viscosity

100 g of the samples shown in Tables 3 to 7 were placed in transparentglass containers and stored for 2 months in constant temperature bathsat temperatures of 25° C. or 50° C., The state (viscosity) of eachsample was then measured at 25° C., and the difference between theviscosity of a sample stored at 25° C. (standard value) and theviscosity of a sample stored at 50° C. was calculated as the degree ofchange in viscosity from these results, and evaluated as A to D, asshown below. In these evaluations, B or higher was taken to be a pass.

-   A. The degree of change in the viscosity of a sample stored at    50° C. compared to that of a sample stored at 25° C. was not more    than 10%.-   B: The degree of change in the viscosity of a sample stored at    50° C. compared to that of a sample stored at 25° C. was more than    10% but not more than 20%.-   C: The degree of change in the viscosity of a sample stored at    50° C. compared to that of a sample stored at 25° C. was more than    20% but not more than 30%.-   D: The degree of change in the viscosity of a sample stored at    50° C. compared to that of a sample stored at 25° C. was more than    30%.

(3) Foaming Properties

First, 1 g of samples shown in Tables 3 to 7 were added to 100 mL ofdistilled water and homogeneously mixed. Next, 10 mL of each obtainedmixed solution was placed in a 100 mL cylindrical container (a measuringcylinder) equipped with a stopper, the container was shaken up and downfor approximately one minute, and the amount of foam was measuredimmediately after the shaking In these evaluations, B or higher wastaken to be a bass.

-   A: Good foaming (50 mL or more of foam)-   B: Average foaming (at least 20 mL but less than 50 mL of foam)-   C: Poor foaming (less than 20 mL of foam)

(4) Sustained Foaming Properties

Following the foam volume measurements described above, the containerwas allowed to stand for 5 minutes, the volume of foam was measuredagain, and the ratio of the volume of foam immediately after shaking andthe volume of foam after 5 minutes was calculated. The calculationformula for this ratio is as below. In these evaluations, B or higherwas taken to be a pass.

-   (Volume of foam after 5 minutes/volume of foam immediately after    shaking)-   A: Good sustained foaming properties (ratio of 0.8 or more)-   B: Average sustained foaming properties (ratio of at least 0.6 but    less than 0.8)-   C: Poor sustained foaming properties (ratio of less than 0.6)

(5) Texture (Fresh Feeling) when Applied

Specifically, texture (fresh feeling) when applied means a comprehensiveevaluation of (I) fresh feeling after applying approximately 2 g of asample shown in Tables 3 to 7 to the hand, spreading the sample acrossthe whole hand and then rinsing the hand with water and (II) freshfeeling after wiping away moisture with a towel or the like. Ten peoplewere instructed to comprehensively evaluate the texture mentioned abovefor the samples shown in Tables 3 to 7, with the highest score being 5points (and the lowest score being 1 point), and the total scores wereevaluated as A to E using the criteria below. In these evaluations, B orhigher was taken to be a pass.

-   A: Total score of 45 to 50 points-   B: Total score of 40 to 44 points-   C: Total score of 35 to 39 points-   D: Total score of 30 to 34 points-   E: Total score of 29 points or less

The evaluation results are shown below.

TABLE 8 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam-Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- ple 1 ple 2 ple 3ple 4 ple 5 ple 6 ple 7 ple 8 ple 9 ple 1 ple 2 ple 3 ple 4 ple 5 Flow AA B B B A B B A C C B B E properties Temperature A A A A A A A A A B B CC D stability in terms of viscosity Foaming A A A A A A A A A B B C C Bproperties Sustained A A A A A A A A A B B C C C foaming propertiesTexture A A B A B A A B A C C C C D when applied

TABLE 9 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam-Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- ple 10 ple 11 ple 12 ple13 ple 14 ple 15 ple 16 ple 17 ple 6 ple 7 ple 8 ple 9 ple 10 Flow A A BB A B A A C C B B E properties Temperature A A A A A A A A B B C C Dstability in terms of viscosity Foaming A A A A A A A A B B C C Bproperties Sustained A A A A A A A A B B C C C foaming propertiesTexture A A A B A A B A C C C C D when applied

TABLE 10 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example ExampleExample Example Example Example Example 18 19 20 21 11 12 13 14 15 FlowA A A A C C B B D properties Temperature A A A A B B C C D stability interms of viscosity Foaming A A A A B B C C B properties Sustained A A AA B B C C C foaming properties Texture A A A A B B D D D when applied

TABLE 11 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example ExampleExample Example Example 22 23 16 17 18 19 20 Flow properties A A C C D CD Temperature A A B B D B D stability in terms of viscosity Foamingproperties A A B B C C C Sustained foaming A A B B C C C propertiesTexture when applied A A B B C D D

TABLE 12 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example ExampleExample 24 25 21 22 23 24 Flow properties A A C D C D Temperaturestability in A A B D B D terms of viscosity Foaming properties A A B C BC Sustained foaming properties A A B C B C Texture when applied A A B DB C

It was understood from the results above that the product of thisinvention is a cleansing composition that is favorable in terms of allof (1) flow properties, (2) temperature stability in terms of viscosity,(3) foaming properties, (4) sustained foaming properties and (5) texture(fresh feeling) when applied.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

That is, the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention thatexhibits suitable flow properties, has high temperature stability interms of the viscosity thereof, exhibits excellent foaming propertiesand sustained foaming properties, and imparts a better texture whenapplied than conventional cleansing agents. From a user's point of view,this cleansing composition exhibits a more favorable feeling of use,meets high expectations and is extremely useful.

1. A skin- or hair-cleansing composition comprising components (A) and(B) below, wherein the component (A) presents a viscosity of an aqueoussolution containing 1 mass % of at 25° C. of 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s and aclouding point of the aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component(A) of 60° C. to 80° C., and has a weight average molecular weight of10,000 to 30,000; component (A): an aqueous gelling agent represented bygeneral formula (1) below:

wherein R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon grouphaving 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R³, R⁵ and R⁷ each independently denote adivalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁴ and R⁶ eachindependently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbonatoms, a and e each independently denote a number from 10 to 100, ddenotes a number from 100 to 500, and g denotes a number from 0 to 10;and component (B): an anionic surfactant.
 2. The skin- or hair-cleansingcomposition according to claim 1, wherein R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ in theaqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) as thecomponent (A) each independently denote an aliphatic hydrocarbon grouphaving 10 to 12 carbon atoms.
 3. The skin- or hair-cleansing compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein R⁴ and R⁶ in the aqueous gelling agentrepresented by general formula (1) as the component (A) eachindependently denote a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 4 to8 carbon atoms.
 4. The skin- or hair-cleansing composition according toclaim 1, wherein component (B) is one or more selected from the groupconsisting of a higher fatty acid salt-based surfactant, a sulfonic acidsalt-based surfactant and a sulfate ester salt-based surfactant.
 5. Theskin- or hair-cleansing composition according to claim 1, furthercomprising an amphoteric surfactant as a component (C).
 6. The skin- orhair-cleansing composition according to claim 5, wherein component (C)is a betaine-based amphoteric surfactant.
 7. The skin- or hair-cleansingcomposition according to claim 1, further comprising apolyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer as a component (D). 8.A method for producing an aqueous gelling agent represented by generalformula (1) below and used to produce a skin- or hair-cleansingcomposition, the method comprising: adding an alcohol compoundrepresented by general formula (2) at a molar ratio of 1.5 to 2.4 and apolyalkylene glycol represented by general formula (3) at a molar ratioof 0.5 to 1.4 to a diisocyanate compound represented by general formula(4) at a molar ratio of 2, and allowing these components to react in thepresence of a higher fatty acid metal salt;

wherein R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon grouphaving 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R³, R⁵ and R⁷ each denote represent adivalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁴ and R⁶ eachindependently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbonatoms, a and e each independently denote a number from 10 to 100, ddenotes a number from 100 to 500, and g denotes a number from 0 to 10;

wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon group having4 to 20 carbon atoms; R¹² denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2to 4 carbon atoms; and r denotes a number from 10 to 100;

wherein R^(n) denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbonatoms, and t denotes a number from 100 to 500; andOCN-Q-NCO   (4) wherein Q denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3to 16 carbon atoms.
 9. The production method according to claim 8,wherein the higher fatty acid metal salt is one or more kinds of higherfatty acid metal salts selected from the group consisting of lauric acidmetal salts, myristic acid metal salts, palmitic acid metal salts,stearic acid metal salts, and oleic acid metal salts.
 10. The productionmethod according to claim 8, wherein the higher fatty acid metal salt isa lauric acid metal salt.
 11. A method for producing a skin- orhair-cleansing composition, the method comprising: a step of obtainingan aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) below byadding an alcohol compound represented by general formula (2) at a molarratio of 1.5 to 2.4 and a polyalkylene glycol represented by generalformula (3) at a molar ratio of 0.5 to 1.4 to a diisocyanate compoundrepresented by general formula (4) at a molar ratio of 2, and allowingthese components to react in the presence of a higher fatty acid metalsalt, and a step of combining said aqueous gelling agent with an anionicsurfactant;

wherein R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon grouphaving 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R³, R⁵ and R⁷ each denote represent adivalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁴ and R⁶ eachindependently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbonatoms, a and e each independently denote a number from 10 to 100, ddenotes a number from 100 to 500, and g denotes a number from 0 to 10;

wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon group having4 to 20 carbon atoms, R¹² denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2to 4 carbon atoms, and r denotes a number from 10 to 100;

wherein R¹³ denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbonatoms, and t denotes a number from 100 to 500; andOCN-Q-NCO   (4) wherein Q denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3to 16 carbon atoms.